Mysteries Decoded: Shocking science behind Hindu ornaments

Amazing scientific reasons behind Hindu jewellery

Do you know there were 36 kinds of essential jewellery and ornaments used during Vedic era, each signifying a body mechanism? You may find it difficult to believe, but as a matter of fact traditional ornaments of the Hindus could actually allow the wearer to imbibe divine consciousness (Chaitanya), reduce black vigor in the body and ward off negative energies. You will be amazed to know that there are scientific reasons attached with every ornament worn by Indian women. Read on to know more…

Silver or Gold?

Normally, we see women wearing gold ornaments on the upper part of the body and silver ornaments on the lower part of the body. According to scientific principles, silver reacts well with the Earth's energy, while gold reacts well with the body's energy and aura. Therefore, silver is worn as anklets or toe rings while gold is used to adorn the upper parts of the body. Let us take a look at some more unknown and amazing scientific reasons behind our traditional ornaments…

3/31

3

The science behind Bangles

Normally, the pulse at the wrist is checked for all sorts of ailments. It is believed that the constant friction between the bangles increases the blood circulation level. Furthermore, the electricity passing out through the skin is again reverted to one's own body because of the round-shaped bangles, which does not allow the energy to escape. Bangles have been found at many archaeological sites in India, with the oldest specimen dating back to 2,000 B.C. or earlier. Those early bangles were made of copper, bronze, agate or shell.

4/31

4

Why are glass bangles preferred over plastic bangles?

Plastic bangles are Raja-Tama-dominant. Hence, Raja-Tama-dominant vibrations in the environment are attracted to such bangles and are absorbed by the woman who wears them. As a result, she might experience distress. Glass bangles have Sattvikta, Devi principle and Chaitanya in them. Due to these, Chaitanya-dominant waves in the environment are attracted to the glass bangles. In addition, the sound generated by the glass bangles keeps negative energies at bay.

The science behind Vermillion (Sindoor or KumKum)

Tradition of wearing Sindoor or vermillion is said to have traveled through more than 5,000 years of Hindu culture. As per mythological legends, Radha, the consort of Lord Krishna, turned the kumkum into a flame like design on her forehead. In the famous epic Mahabharata, Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas, is believed to have wiped her sindoor in disgust and despair. Use of Sindoor has also been mentioned in The Puranas, Lalitha Sahasranamam and Soundarya Lahharis.

7/31

7

Sindoor activates the Crown Chakras

It is said that Sindoor activates the pituitary and pineal gland, so that the body and mind of a married women could function better. Applying the red vermilion also activates the chakras in the forehead and on the crown, which attracts cosmic and pranic energy. Sindoor is prepared using mercury, turmeric and lime. Mercury acts as a catalyst that helps ease stress, while keeping the brain active and alert. Mercury also helps in controlling blood pressure, activating sexual drive and libidinal energy.

8/31

8

The science behind Bindi

The area between the eyebrows (or the sixth chakra known as the 'Agna') is the seat of concealed wisdom. According to the tantric cult, when, during meditation, the latent energy (kundalini) rises from the base of the spine towards the head; this 'agna' is its probable outlet. The ‘Bindi' between the eyebrows is said to retain energy in the human body and control the various levels of concentration. It is also the central point of the base of the creation itself - symbolising auspiciousness and good fortune.

9/31

9

Helping us see the Divine

Religiously speaking, Bindi is supposed to be representative of the mystic third eye and hence the central point of the base of creation. It represents the spiritual sight which Hindus seek to awaken through yoga-union with God. So, the red dot signifies divinity and serves as a constant reminder to keep God in the front of a believer's thoughts. It represents that the person's soul has been purified and he sees things through God's eyes (beyond the material word, he sees the divine in all beings).

The science behind Toe-ring

Indians believe that your "prana" or "life force" must be in balance in order for you to stay healthy. All of the paths of your "prana" run down to your toes, so the idea that a marital symbol could double up as a reproductive enhancer is not a big stretch. Since Toe rings are usually made of Silver, a good conductor, it also absorbs the energy from the polar energies from the earth and passes it to the body, thus refreshing whole body system.

11/31

11

The benefits of wearing a Toe ring

Wearing toe ring in the second toe has sexual effect. The reflexology texts also mention about treating gynecological problems by massaging the second toe. There is also a belief that the wearing of toe rings press on certain nerves that pertain to the reproductive system, keeping it in balance and healthy. By wearing Toe rings in both feet, the menstrual cycle course is regularized with even intervals.

The science behind wearing Anklets

A scientific reason given for wearing anklets is that by wearing the anklets, one's energy is not wasted but re-vibrated back to one's own body. Also, since the woman wears a lot of gold jewellery in any Hindu religion, a lot of electrical currents are produced in the body. To counter these currents and to keep the positive energy flowing in the body, the practice of wearing Silver anklets was established.

13/31

13

The science behind kamarbandh

Worn on the hip, this too is made of Silver, but the usage of this is not so common. It is particularly used to control women from getting fatter and to avoid flab in hip and pot belly.

14/31

14

The science behind wearing Mangalsutra

As per Hindu Dharma, Mangalsutra is an ornament of a woman denoting her marital status. Each person makes a Mangalsutra for the bride as per his capacity. If it is not possible to make a Mangalsutra with a cord of gold or silver, they make it by stringing black beads in a thread. In the center of the Mangalsutra there are two cups. The cups should be round and there should be no design on its front. This structure is associated with the Energy of Knowledge.

The significance of Mangalsutra

The gold wire of the Mangalsutra destroys the distressing vibrations present in the Universe through its Energy of the Absolute Fire element. The black color of the beads is said to absorb all negative vibrations before they can reach the bride. The stringing together of the beads into one thread has its significance as well. Just as each bead contributes to making a beautiful necklace, so does the woman have to blend and integrate into the new family after marriage.

16/31

16

The science behind wearing Earrings

Earrings actually have a very beneficial function. Wearing earrings has an acupuncture-effect on the body. In ancient China, earrings developed for health purposes rather than female embellishment purposes, stemming from the result of acupuncture of the ear. The father of Western medicine, Hippocrates, wrote about ear piercing and earring wearing around 470 B.C. as a remedy and treatment for menstrual problems. Ancient people treated diseases of feminine Yin organs via earrings in the left ear and diseases of the male Yang organs via the right ear.

17/31

17

A very deep science

It is very useful as a means of natural healing. Many healers promote the wearing of magnetic earrings for women who are challenged with obesity, particularly. Why? Because there is a point on the ear known as the Hunger Point, and this vital point can be worked to help a woman if she wishes to change her diet for weight loss purposes.

18/31

18

The science behind Nose Rings

According to Ayurveda, piercing the nose near a particular node on the nostril helps in lessening the pain during monthly periods in women. Hence, girls as well as older women are supposed to wear nose rings. It is preferred that women wear nose rings on the left nostril since the nerves leading from the left nostril are associated with the female reproductive organs. Piercing the nose at this position helps in easing childbirth.

19/31

19

The science behind Finger rings

In ancient India, the scholars classified the significance of each finger that controls or is in any way connected to each part of one's body and the brain. Considering the nerves from different fingers connecting to brain, let’s discuss them one-by-one…

Do not ornament the Thumb

They are believed to be connected to the brain neurons/nerves which stimulate the pleasure hormones and this finger is identified with planet Venus, The Goddess of Love. Any metallic friction in the body kindles specific brain neurons. So as to avoid frequent frictions people avoid wearing any ornaments in the Thumbs. I hope the meaning is well understood.

21/31

21

Your Index finger

According to Palmistry it is identified with planet Jupiter. This finger's nerves are also connected to the brain, in its learning capacitor neurons. If in one's horoscope Jupiter is ill placed then astrologers advice the person to wear gold ring in index finger, preferably with Yellow Sapphire stone, which again identifies the Planet of Jupiter.

Your Middle finger

Its nerve passes through the brain divider line and if any metallic friction is here, then the confusion is caused in the brain whether the signal given is from left or right side of the brain. When some important decision is to be taken and if the confusion prevails because of wearing a ring in the middle finger, then it is likely to be the wrong decision. To avoid this, generally people do not wear any rings in this middle finger. In palmistry, this finger is identified with planet Saturn.

23/31

23

Your Ring finger

It is widely believed, that the nerve passing through this finger is evenly spread to the entire brain neuron cells and any frequent metallic friction caused in this finger is very good for one's health. It also improves one's general capacity in handling his/her life with ease and confidence. That's why all over the world, they use gold rings for men and women, very commonly in this finger specifically during engagements and marriages.

24/31

24

Your Little finger

This finger is identified with planet Mercury which controls the organs that is ruling the brain, thoughts and thinking. Any friction in this finger causes some disturbance in one's thoughts. So only when the planet Mercury is weak one’s horoscope, then they wear any ring in this finger with an Emerald stone. For Mars and Moon too, in addition to above, they identify the middle and the little fingers respectively.

The science behind Waist Key Chain

While wearing a sari, inserting a chabi chhalla (waist key chain/key ring) at the edge of the pleats is just so chic. It is believed that the waist key chain helps you keep your throat clear of mucus and phlegm, due to acupressure that the hook exerts at the skin contact area thereby assuring you have a clear voice.

26/31

26

The science behind Necklace

Necklaces made of gold attract a flow of bliss. A spiral of Bliss is created and activated in the pendant by this flow. In each small leaf of the design in the necklace, a spiral of Bliss is created and activated. From these spirals, particles of Bliss are transmitted in the body of the woman and in the environment. Waves associated with emotions takes place in the middle of Vishuddha-chakra and Anahat-chakra respectively. These waves can also be benefitted from by wearing necklaces of apt lengths.

27/31

27

The science behind Maang Tika

Maang Tika is said to control the heat of our body. This gorgeous hair accessory is held by a hook at the centre parting of the hair, with the pendant falling on the centre of the forehead. The point where it falls is believed to be the Ajna chakra, which in Sanskrit means “to know or perceive”. The chakra is represented by two petals signifying the holy union of male and female on a spiritual, physical and emotional level.

28/31

28

The science behind Armlet

Armlet is also called arm ring or armband, a ring of precious metal worn as ornament around the biceps by Indian women’s. Armlet was quite popular earlier but in the modern days it’s generally worn as a fashion accessory. The arm ring helps blood circulation in your arms and create right amount of resistance to makes arm comfortable.

29/31

29

What is the science behind wearing big sized ornaments?

The main objectives of women wearing Hindu ornaments are to absorb positive energy and to alleviate the distress by negative energies. It is believed that women who are very emotional should wear big-sized ornaments as this would activate their Raja-guna and awaken their warrior spirit. In addition, due to big-sized ornaments, positive energy is attracted in higher proportion and most parts of the body are covered with it; hence, negative energies face difficulty in entering the body of the woman.

Why the scriptures forbid widows from wearing ornaments?

When the husband is dead, the woman’s marital status is dissolved. It is believed that during such times the radiance present in the woman is also dissolved and in its place an attitude of detachment arises. Sacrificing ornaments facilitates the Shakti within the widow being converted into the fire of detachment.

31/31

31

To conclude

Isn’t it commendable that without having a computer and scanners, the ancient Sages and Saints had a far better mode of understanding anatomy and the human body's nature, functions, plus and minus points of daily behavioral patterns etc. Do give your feedback and share your views regarding the spiritual significance of our traditional ornaments…!!